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WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

Healing Through
Connection

A mental health & equine-assisted wellness center blending neuroscience, attachment theory, and nature.

Who We Are

Cultivating Safety, Resilience, and Prosperity

Songbird Ranch Wellness Center is a for-profit mental health and wellness practice dedicated to supporting the emotional, psychological, and relational well-being of individuals, families, and groups.

We distinguish ourselves by combining the depth of professional counseling with the relational, sensory, and experiential benefits of equine-assisted modalities.

Evidence-Based

Grounded in neuroscience, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care.

Nature-Immersed

A peaceful environment that supports regulation and healing.

Experiential

Beyond talk therapy—engaging the body and mind for embodied change.

Irina next to her horse Darlin

Our Programs

We offer a comprehensive suite of clinical and wellness programs designed to meet developmental and emotional needs across the lifespan. Each program integrates person-centered principles, developmental neuroscience, and trauma-informed care, delivered through traditional talk therapy and experiential equine-assisted sessions.

Individual & Group Counseling (Traditional and EAS)

  • Individual therapy for children, teens, and adults
  • Couples and family therapy
  • Parent–child attachment and co-regulation work
  • Social-emotional skill development
  • Processing grief, loss, and life adjustments
  • Communication, conflict resolution, and relationship building

Trauma-Informed Equine-Assisted Professional Counseling & Experiential Learning

  • Somatic regulation and sensory integration
  • Trauma-informed experiential activities
  • Short-term intensives (2–3 days) for deep skill-building
  • Attachment-based interventions

Workshops, Groups & Community Programs

  • Social-emotional skill-building workshops
  • Grief and loss groups
  • Team-building and corporate wellness retreats
  • Parent and caregiver education

Pricing Information

Professional counseling services, offered in both traditional and equine-assisted settings, begin at $175 per client for a 55–60-minute session. Rates vary based on service type, session length, and level of equine involvement. Because each treatment plan is tailored to individual or group needs and goals, we invite clients to reach out for a brief consultation to discuss goals, scheduling, and associated fees. Insurance reimbursement may be available depending on your plan, and we’re happy to review options during a consultation.

Workshops, corporate wellness retreats, multi-day programs, community events, and customized individual or group intensives are priced upon request.

Services are available for individuals ages 3 to 103, couples, families, veterans, first responders, and professional groups seeking relational health, team strengthening, or emotional regulation support. All programs prioritize safety, connection, and regulation. Clients move at a developmentally appropriate pace, supported by intentional, neurobiologically grounded interventions that foster capacity-building and lasting change.

Meet Our Team

Dedicated professionals—both two-legged and four-legged—committed to your healing.

Clinical Providers

Irina Rectenwald, M.S., NCC, LAPC (PA)
Founder & Clinical Provider

Irina Rectenwald, M.S., NCC, LAPC (PA)

I am a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Level 2 Natural Lifemanship–certified equine specialist and clinician. As the founder of Songbird Ranch Wellness Center, I integrate neuroscience, attachment theory, trauma-informed care, and experiential, nature-based practices to support clients in cultivating safety, connection, and authentic relational healing. With a background in Child Life, therapeutic activities, and architecture and environmental design, I bring a unique blend of creativity, clinical insight, and embodied presence in my work. I am passionate about the science of relationships, intergenerational healing, and the therapeutic power of animals and outdoor environments.

Living on a ranch with my husband, a four-legged family of horses, dogs, and cats, and a lively flock of feathered companions, I draw inspiration from the rhythms of nature and the wisdom of the animals I partner with. I believe that healing unfolds through connections—with self, others, and the natural world around us.

Equine Partners & Staff

Darlin
Head of the herd

Darlin

Darlin carries herself with the confident presence of a seasoned leader with a soft heart. She brings maturity, patience, and—on occasion—a gentle insistence on order when things need tidying up. She keeps a watchful eye on everyone, making sure the herd is safe, grounded, and cared for… whether they asked for guidance or not.


Rocky
Senior gentleman

Rocky

Rocky has the heart of a steadfast guardian and takes his self-appointed job of “protector” very seriously. If a herd mate is anxious or unsettled, Rocky is usually the first to offer a calm, regulating presence. He may be older, but he’s still the wise, stoic rock the others lean into.


Melman
Retired working horse

Melman

Melman has a personality far larger than his body; he is joyfully learning the art of freedom, choice, and mutually respectful relationships. His curiosity is always dialed to maximum, and his sense of play knows absolutely no limits. If something is new, interesting, or even mildly suspicious, Melman will investigate it first.


Fanny May
Retired working horse

Fanny May

Fanny May is a mare with a story-rich soul—one that reveals itself when you slow down long enough to listen. She can be both tender and fiery, sometimes within the same minute. Passionate about food, she possesses an extraordinary ability to locate the apple in your pocket from across the pasture.

Gemini (Gem)
Chief Rodent Management Officer

Gemini (Gem)

Gemini (Gem) serves as the ranch’s Chief Rodent Management Officer, helping keep barns and feed areas safe while contributing to the calm, grounded atmosphere of the ranch. Whether supervising chores or offering a quiet, reassuring presence, Gem reminds us that healing often comes from steady, everyday connections with animals.


Life at the Ranch

Immerse yourself in the rhythms of nature and the peaceful presence of our herd.

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Your Journey — A Step-by-Step Process

A structured yet personalized process to ensure intentional, safe support.

1. Initial Inquiry & Consultation

Clients begin with a brief phone consultation to discuss needs, goals, and determine fit. This call helps identify whether traditional counseling, equine-assisted work, or a combination is the best starting point.


2. Intake & Assessment

During the first session, the counselor gathers relevant background information, reviews informed consent, and completes a developmentally appropriate assessment. Parents or caregivers are included for minor clients as needed.

3. Personalized Treatment Planning

Using a person-centered, neurobiologically informed lens, the counselor collaborates with the client (and family, when appropriate) to identify goals and determine the most suitable program. Treatment plans may integrate traditional counseling, equine-assisted services, or a blended model.


4. Experiential & Relational Work

Sessions move at the client’s pace and blend relational attunement, somatic and sensory regulation, attachment-based interventions, experiential work with equine partners, and traditional counseling and psychoeducation. Equine partners participate only when emotionally regulated and willing, ensuring safe and ethical experiences.


5. Ongoing Review & Growth

Progress is reviewed regularly to ensure interventions remain aligned with the client’s goals. Adjustments are made collaboratively as the therapeutic relationship deepens and needs evolve.


6. Graduation & Transition

When goals have been met or services are no longer clinically indicated, the counselor and client collaboratively plan for graduation from services. This includes reviewing progress, identifying ongoing supports, and discussing next steps to promote continued growth and stability beyond counseling.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions about our programs and services.